Muck Monsters: Spring 2013 Shoe Review

Spring trail-running shoes keep it light and fast

A sneak peek at the spring shoe review in our upcoming June issue

In the last few years, the running-shoe industry has seen a massive exodus away from the hefty heel cushioning and arch support of yore. While not all runners have embraced the new, minimalist breed, most companies—even those offering more “traditional” options—are taking at least some cues from it, lightening up materials and experimenting with less-beefy heels.

With newfound interest in the “drop” of shoe—that is, the millimeter-difference in stack height between the heel and toe—we’ve included this spec in our reviews. According to its proponents, a lower drop (less than the traditional 10mm to 14mm) encourages a more “natural” running motion by more closely approximating barefoot running.

Be aware that a lower drop may leave your calves and Achilles more susceptible to strains—so if transitioning from a more traditional shoe, give your feet ample time to adjust.

(In conjunction with launching our spring shoe review online on April 12, we ran a contest to celebrate hitting 25,000 fans on Facebook, offering a pair of the inov-8 Roclite 268/295 to two lucky readers. The contest has now passed, but stay tuned for more in the future!)